Influence of Information Technology in Developing Sustainabe Competitive Advantage at the Department of Civil Registration, Kenya

Abstract

In the dynamic and globally competitive environment, the inability of established firms to come up with breakthrough technological innovations that will help them operate effectively is a truism today. Both public and private organizations are facing increasing levels of competitive pressure concerning maintaining and sustaining efficiency in their operation systems. Most organizations management are forced to implement innovative strategies so that to achieve competitive advantage. The objective of the study was to establish the influence of information technology on development of sustainable competitive advantage at the department of civil registration in Kenya. This study was guided by several theories such as the technology acceptance theory, resource based view theory and the diffusion of innovation theory that have tried to explain the relationships between technological innovations and performance of firms. A case study research design was used to address this research problem. The study used primary data collected using key informant interview guide. The researcher personally interviewed six senior managers distributed across the functions giving a total of six interviews. Content analysis was used to evaluate the response, draw conclusions and to derive recommendations. Results revealed that the civil registration department has adopted information technology but on a rather sluggish pace. Results revealed that use of these IT systems enhanced development of sustainable competitive advantage. The study concluded that the civil registration department in Kenya has adopted the use of information technology. The particular IT applications that the department had adopted included EDI, ERP and E-procurement. As a result the departments had accrued various benefits which included reduced costs of operation, improved efficiency, data security, better reporting and planning, increased transparency, enhanced service delivery and reduced delays. The study also concluded that adoption of the various information technology application has led to the development of sustainable competitive advantage. Sustainable competitive advantage was realized through enhanced optimal resource allocation, reduction of fraud and corruption, and improve transparency and accountability to a certain extent. In addition, adoption of IT led to reduction of the costs of operations, ensured efficiency in service delivery and elimination of lots of paperwork which was at times erroneous and tedious. The study recommends that policy makers in the government should come up with mechanisms, for use by regulators in various arms of the government, geared towards speeding up adoption of IT so as to enhance sustainable competitive advantage and service delivery. The study also recommends that the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government will realize the benefits of adopting IT. This study experienced various limitations. To begin with, there was trouble in accessing the targeted respondent. Additionally, the researcher experienced hesitance by respondents to give their feedback as they feared it would be used against them. The study recommends that a similar study be conducted but focus on a different department in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government for comparison purposes. Being that this study was qualitative, the study suggests that a quantitative study should be conducted so as to measure the magnitude of influence of the adoption of various IT applications on sustainable competitive advantage.